My wife wanted to go on a date. Beer and movies sounded like a good idea to both of us. We could have chosen to go to one of those dank noisy dark places that "specialize" in gnat's piss on the 200 block of Duval or we could have chosen to go here:
No television no piped music, just beer wine and conversation. I liked this place as soon as I stepped in. No clunky tourists waving drunken souvenirs in our faces either. 
The chalk board listed the beers on draft, including cider, and we asked for something not hoppy. there is a passion among hip brewers to make the strongest most bitter beer they can. It's like the hip fad of making red wines as dark and tannic and nasty as one can to impress the customers, or brewing coffee so dark and mouth puckering it tastes like battery acid. 
I got a Sam Adams Saison, mildly bitter but very smooth and my wife really liked her Namaste. "Hey, Michael" a voice called out. And there was Fred sipping a Chamay Blonde. "I can't fucking get rid of you!" he said cheerily and asked me to record his greeting verbatim. I have been training Fred in dispatch for quite a few weeks, an intense and intimate relationship learning the main police channel.
Which I had to try in due course. The only shortcoming I saw at The Porch was the lack of salty nibbles so I hiked across the street and bought some chips at Mr Cheapies.
The bar tender actually listened when I suggested chips go well with beer, in fact he took a hike and came back with a bag of bugles for himself... 
This is not your average beer parlor, not at all. There has to be a television somewhere I suppose but it was well out of my way. Plus you can sit outside if you want and watch the poor slobs being abused by live raucous music at The Bull across the street. while drinking Bud "Lite" and listening to small testicled bikers rumble by on their Harleys. Well, I exaggerate a bit, but the Porch is a really nice spot downtown. 
At the corner of Caroline and Duval it's not hard to find, though it is hard to leave. 
I felt quite at home on Duval with my pocket camera.
But we had places to go and tickets to buy. Tomorrow night we go to the theater. 
Becky's New Car has received rave reviews from our friends and for some reason, my wife's busy season teaching probably, we are barely able to get in under the wire as tomorrow is the last show. I hate procrastinating but the Red Barn has done a bang up season this year and I will grasp every opportunity to go. http://redbarntheatre.com/ 
The sun was setting over the roof tops as we emerged back onto Duval at the Hard Rock Café, which sits alongside the entrance to the Red Barn's cute little plaza. Wednesday night was my night off so full of beer and popcorn we watched Lincoln Lawyer which we both enjoyed. My wife the former public defender could only appreciate being a teacher these days after the movie reminded her of the trials and tribulations of the Law. 
Two hours in the dark and Key West was dark itself when we emerged from the Tropic. We paid $6:25 for four and a half hours parking at a meter just off Duval Street so when people tell you there is no parking in Old Town remind them this is a great time of year to be in Key West.
Cheyenne was snoozing on the back seat, exhausted after another afternoon of strolling the streets of key West. But those are photos for another day.
No television no piped music, just beer wine and conversation. I liked this place as soon as I stepped in. No clunky tourists waving drunken souvenirs in our faces either. 
The chalk board listed the beers on draft, including cider, and we asked for something not hoppy. there is a passion among hip brewers to make the strongest most bitter beer they can. It's like the hip fad of making red wines as dark and tannic and nasty as one can to impress the customers, or brewing coffee so dark and mouth puckering it tastes like battery acid. I got a Sam Adams Saison, mildly bitter but very smooth and my wife really liked her Namaste. "Hey, Michael" a voice called out. And there was Fred sipping a Chamay Blonde. "I can't fucking get rid of you!" he said cheerily and asked me to record his greeting verbatim. I have been training Fred in dispatch for quite a few weeks, an intense and intimate relationship learning the main police channel.Which I had to try in due course. The only shortcoming I saw at The Porch was the lack of salty nibbles so I hiked across the street and bought some chips at Mr Cheapies.The bar tender actually listened when I suggested chips go well with beer, in fact he took a hike and came back with a bag of bugles for himself... This is not your average beer parlor, not at all. There has to be a television somewhere I suppose but it was well out of my way. Plus you can sit outside if you want and watch the poor slobs being abused by live raucous music at The Bull across the street. while drinking Bud "Lite" and listening to small testicled bikers rumble by on their Harleys. Well, I exaggerate a bit, but the Porch is a really nice spot downtown. At the corner of Caroline and Duval it's not hard to find, though it is hard to leave. I felt quite at home on Duval with my pocket camera.But we had places to go and tickets to buy. Tomorrow night we go to the theater. Becky's New Car has received rave reviews from our friends and for some reason, my wife's busy season teaching probably, we are barely able to get in under the wire as tomorrow is the last show. I hate procrastinating but the Red Barn has done a bang up season this year and I will grasp every opportunity to go. http://redbarntheatre.com/ The sun was setting over the roof tops as we emerged back onto Duval at the Hard Rock Café, which sits alongside the entrance to the Red Barn's cute little plaza. Wednesday night was my night off so full of beer and popcorn we watched Lincoln Lawyer which we both enjoyed. My wife the former public defender could only appreciate being a teacher these days after the movie reminded her of the trials and tribulations of the Law. Two hours in the dark and Key West was dark itself when we emerged from the Tropic. We paid $6:25 for four and a half hours parking at a meter just off Duval Street so when people tell you there is no parking in Old Town remind them this is a great time of year to be in Key West.Cheyenne was snoozing on the back seat, exhausted after another afternoon of strolling the streets of key West. But those are photos for another day. 
10 comments:
Ah, good spot I must say, and good beers to boot. However the doc said no more to the alcohol. A Chamay would be fantastic at that location. I guess the nostalgia of the act may be more romantic than the act itself.
The Porch looks like a nice spot to sit and people-watch on a warm afternoon.
Many of my favorite beers are dark and hoppy, but do little to refresh you. On a hot day, or after a long day in the (bike) saddle, I prefer a Trumer Pils.
Dear Sir:
There is nothing like an ice cold beer after a hard day of napping and throwing an occasional scrap to the dog is there? I like the concept of "The Porch," but I would have preferred a bartender in her middle 30's, with a 34 B rack, and a starched white Oxford shirt, open to the third button.
You should have asked the batender to get a gallon jar of pickled pigs feet and another of pickled pink eggs. Both are big sellers in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
If you left your dog in the car here, with temperatures hitting 80º, you'd get the electric chair. A guy I know ran into a burger joint to get a couple of cheeseburgers and a coke under similar circumstances, and found the cops waiting for him, with animal services on the way, wheb he got out.
Fondest regards,
Twisted Roads
I have never posted on a blog before, but I am planning a visit to Key West, and your blog comes up fifth on the Google list. I am looking for a modestly priced hotel on the edge of town, but close enough to get to the beach on foot, as the guy I'm traveling with is a real shit and takes my car, a lime-green Ford Pinto, as soon as I fall asleep or pass out.
Do you know of such a hotel? Ideally it would be across the street from a convenience store that sells disposable feninine hygene products, and a liquor store. I once got these two confused and went into the liquor store looking for a "strong douche." The woman behind the counter gave me the name of her "ex."
Sincerely,
S. Tittybang-Wow
Pasadena, Ca
Jeffrey- I have been wanting beer more than wine for some reason lately. No alcohol would be hard for me as i do like the taste. Stay well.
Rob. The Porch is an adult bar which means New jersey douches would be unlikely to find their way there.
dear jack, After ytou drag me to the titty bar at the red garter I will drag you here for adult beer and conversation. I will watch you seduce the bar tender and take notes as you do it. His tots were terrible but he was genuinely nice and cheerful and I enjoyed being served by him (not enough to remember his name...erk).
In Florida officers can only break open car windows if the external temperature is 90 degrees. That is one of the calls I hate, and thus avoid working nights. Cheyenne was secure in the car with all windows wide open in the shade and she was asleep when I got back. I walked her ass off prior as the photos to follow will attest.
Thank you for worrying about my dog.
Chuck is not coming back from Guam for months. I am bereft.
The Porch looks pleasant. From your photos it looks like the place I know as Bagatelle. Are they one in the same?
Next time I get down to Key West I will have to check out the Pouch. Sounds like the kind of bar I might enjoy but I'm a little concerned though. I own two Harleys! Last time I checked they were both adequate, the Harleys that is...LOL. Well I used to own a Triumph and still think they are very cool bikes. Hey, I just bought a Triumph t-shirt. That's gotta count for something.
gary- no: bagatelle is 115 duval, the porch is in the porter house.
fxr- as long as one rides the things the rest doesn't much matter to me . I like road kings but $20,000 is too much. I don't like used harleys as they are too messed up by owners.I love the XR1200 but I wnat decent luggage for it.
If I has a stable of three bikies I'd have a sporint GT and a Tiger 800. I think I am an accidental triumph guy. Plus their bikes are chaper than the opposition. And my Bonnie is stone reliable.
Your bartender was Grubby - that's his name. They have 'off-list' beers for good customers - you have to ask for them. Not cheap at up to $18 a bottle - but WOW! are they good!
just got back from a mung bean and tapioca coconut mild soup - we are indeed far from Key West.
From where America's day begins,
Chuck on Fleming.
Hullo Chuck. I was working with Fred last night, and inbetween the endless 9-1-1 calls he confirmed the guy's name to me, so I am pretty sure you're not lying.
The keys are looking particularly good at the moment and mung soup will not compensate for not being here.
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